Teens in Covid Isolation: ‘I Felt like I Was Suffocating

With New York City experiencing a second wave of the pandemic and implementing social distancing measures for school and work, journalist Emma Goldberg delves into the unique challenges faced by teenagers. While loneliness, virus-related stress, financial anxiety, and mental health issues affect various age groups, Goldberg emphasizes the need to consider teenagers’ experiences. As Aya Raji, a 14-year-old, points out, “A lot of adults assume teens have it easy … But it’s hitting us the hardest” (Goldberg). Goldberg’s article focuses on the impact of disrupted peer social structures on teenagers. These networks not only help in teens’ identity development and provide support beyond the family, but also play a crucial role in understanding the intricacies of socializing. For teenagers, it is not merely the stressors of the pandemic but also the loss of access to socially significant networks that pose a concern, potentially resulting in developmental delays as they transition into adulthood within a wider society impacted by social isolation.